KENT COUNTY, Mich. — Multiple West Michigan healthcare organizations are providing the next steps for former patients of Michigan Pain Consultants (MPC) after they announced their impending closure.
Earlier this week, MPC announced it will be closing over the next 90 days and discontinuing all procedures.
MPC's locations in Muskegon, Wyoming, and Big Rapids closed today, June 14.
A letter shared by a patient to 13 ON YOUR SIDE said the Grand Rapids, Holland and Greenville offices will remain open until Sept. 2. After that, the practice will no longer be operational. It also stated that staff will be reaching out to patients who have appointments to reschedule or to help transfer care.
"The sudden change and closure of the Michigan Pain Consultants offices raises a lot of problems, especially for patients who may have chronic pain issues," said Dr. Ronald Grifka, President of UofM Health-West. "They may not be able to get the prescriptions they need, may not be able to get the physician exams and therapies that they need. So certainly a huge problem for the community."
Grifka says many patients dealing with chronic pain experience difficulties performing daily activities, and that the area's major healthcare providers are working together to make sure patients have access to timely care.
The Kent County Health Department, Corewell Health, Trinity Health Michigan, University of Michigan Health-West, Cherry Health and Catherine’s Health Center provided a joint statement for patients of MPC providing next steps:
Contact your primary care physician: Patients are urged to reach out to their primary care physician's office to discuss obtaining necessary medications or to receive a referral to an alternative pain management clinic.
Find a primary care physician: For those needing assistance in locating a primary care provider, help is available by calling 2-1-1. This service connects individuals with resources to find primary care and other essential services. All the health care organizations listed below are accepting new patients.
Additional assistance: Our organizations are committed to providing support and guidance during this transition. If you need further assistance, please contact:
- Corewell Health: spectrumhealth.org/primarycare: 877-362-8362
- Trinity Health: Primary Care | Trinity Health Michigan: 616-685-8500
- University of Michigan Health-West: Primary Care | UM Health-West: 616-252-7200
- Cherry Health: 616-965-8308
- Catherine’s Health Center
- Wyoming location, 616-320-0405
- Creston Grand Rapids, 616-336-8800
The joint statement also included this warning for opioid users:
It is the standard of care that anyone who uses opioids obtain naloxone/Narcan in case of overdose. Naloxone/Narcan distribution sites can be found on https://www.accesskent.com/Health/KCOTF.htm. Fentanyl is commonly found in drugs not obtained from a hospital or pharmacy and can be very dangerous and deadly.
On Thursday, June 13, MPC posted the following on their Facebook page:
We are saddened to tell you that after 40 years caring for our patients, MPC will be officially closing its doors over the next 90 days. We are simply unable to sustain the rising costs or keep up with the changes rapidly happening in the healthcare market. Our team at MPC is committed to ensuring a smooth and safe transition for all our patients during this difficult time. We will work closely with you and your healthcare providers to provide the best possible care and support as we close our doors. The transition process will involve a thorough evaluation of your current healthcare needs and making the necessary arrangements for you to receive continued care with your primary care physician or another pain program. If you are actively being prescribed medications from our team and you are not already scheduled for an appointment before August 30th, call (800) 281-3237 to ensure that we see you to help develop an appropriate plan of care to suit your individual needs. If you simply need a referral to another pain practice, we recommend starting with your primary care physician or calling the number on your insurance card for an appropriate referral.
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